Weckl's Evolution Series DVD's Review and Question

I just bought the second DVD (How to Practice) of Weckls Evolution Video Series. I wasn't sure what to expect with the bonus material, but I was quite impressed. There are two new clips of him playing in his studio as well as some extensive interview material as well. Most applicable is his discussion on practicing. It's basic knowledge that we all know, but it's good to here it again and in a little more detail from someone who's applies these fundamentals so well.
Anyway, I bought the second DVD rather than the first because it is supposed to have some footage from the Drummer's Weekend in Austrailia. Instead it has footage from the Drummer's Collective 25th Anniv., which I already own. Does anyone own the first DVD (How to Develop Technique) and does it have the footage from Austrailia? Does anyone know if all the interview material is the same on the first DVD as well? I was very impressed with the extra footage of the DVD EXCEPT for this misprint and error.

I didn?t know the series of videos where available on DVD.. [img]graemlins/shhh.gif[/img]

So, my question is where can I get these because my local music stores don?t have them..

thanks

Yes, please advise as to where to pick up the DVD's.

I bought the DVD's in Nashville at Fork's Drum Closet (www.forksdrumcloset.com). You can call them and they should have some in stock or should be able to order it for you. You can also go to carlfischer.com and view the stores that can order Carl Fischer products and order it that way.
Basically, the DVD is exactly the same as the original Evolution videos with some additional material recently recorded: Dave talks about his gear, practicing, the sabian line cymbals (where he plays a solo to demonstrate) and he also plays Tiempo de Festival from his studio with a drumless track off the album.
Note that there is a misprint...on the How to Practice video it says that it has a clip from the Drummer's Weekend in Australia, while the How to Develop Technique has a clip from 25th Anniversary Drummer's Collective. It's actually the other way around, with the Australia clip on the first Technique DVD. Hope that helps!

They should have accumulated into 2 DVD's at least, or 1 even.

I agree, they could have easily put all that info into one DVD.

I'd still rather watch Back To Basics and The Next Step 100 times over than any of the new ones.

He should just put out a live performance DVD IMO. He's got a lot to offer but there was too much fluff on these CF vids IMO.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Derek DeFields:
I'd still rather watch Back To Basics and The Next Step 100 times over than any of the new ones.

He should just put out a live performance DVD IMO. He's got a lot to offer but there was too much fluff on these CF vids IMO.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I would agree with those comments 100%. The 2nd series were a bit of a let down, the 3rd tape was probably the best as it was new info on a ground he hadnt really covered in depth.

I actually think the "How to.." series (at least tapes one and two) are very good. The practice exercises are very straightforward, and the video doesn't really lag at any point since he puts a solo or song cut with the band in between everything, which keeps it interesting. The Technique "How To" video does indeed lag at some points (especially Gruber's ramblings), but has very valuable info about loosening the grip. I haven't seen the sound development one yet, but I'm interested.

Speaking of tuning drums, is it not totally AMAZING how many local drummers in your town do not tune??? I don't have a great kit (Premier XPK from '92), but I tune my drums, and I've had a few sound guys at local clubs tell me that my drums sound better than most, and I KNOW it's because most drummers simply don't bother to tune.

How true that statement is...........Most guys or gals whom call themselves drummers don't bother to work on the big task at hand and that is understanding how a drum SHOULD sound.

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Originally posted by Randy Walker:
How true that statement is...........Most guys or gals whom call themselves drummers don't bother to work on the big task at hand and that is understanding how a drum SHOULD sound.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I understand what you mean randy though if it sounds good to someone [the player himself, HIS sound] is it wrong that he's tuned it that way?

Sound is such a subjective matter and what someone thinks is Bad, is good to someone else.
The theory of "a drum should be in tune with itself" is ok. I just see people that dont care about drum tuning theory as, people breaking the theory rules like musicians who break the rules of music theory, its not wrong, just their way. And as the old saying goes, "there is no right or wrong way" just your way.

hi,
To find these DVD, there is hudson europe :
weckl DVD
bye

They ok for europeans Bouts as they are in Pal format.
Unless the people in the states have a pal dvd and tv with pal to ntsc conversion, they wont be any good. Not sure about a computer though? And the price is WAY up from a usa price too. [img]frown.gif[/img]

I hear what you are sayig, for me I am in to the wide open drum singing type of tuning, the Mike Portnoy dead no tone does nothing for me. Guys like Vinnie, Simon, Smith, Erskine, recently Gadd, Jordan all get this type of sound. In the early days Gadd was into the dead sound but has since changed his sound. Larrie London used to get such a huge sound sound.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Randy Walker:
How true that statement is...........Most guys or gals whom call themselves drummers don't bother to work on the big task at hand and that is understanding how a drum SHOULD sound.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Totally agree...and I'm one of them. Only recently have I got into all of this. I really believe who you hang with has a big influence on your drum habits. When I was younger it was all drums, details, finish, tuning, etc. Then it became technique and I gave up on sound. Amazing how great a guy can be technically and totally forget how his kit sounds to the audience--all non-drummers.

Plenty of "resonance" is what I understand you too mean.

I just think some people aren't that bothered randy, tuning is an 'art' and some cats are just happy with what they have or havent got/learned. In some ways i suppose its like looking at a guy who's pushing his technique while another settles for what he has.
Thats my interpretation, im not saying its a fact, its sort of like, "Oh, that'll do for me, thats good enough".

Can we class people with a Drum dial as inbetweenies... lol
(I hope im not going to be flamed for that) [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]eek.gif[/img]

Quote:

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Originally posted by Me.2:

Can we class people with a Drum dial as inbetweenies... lol

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LOL! That?s funny. Actually I find in Sydney most drummers seem to be really into how their drums sound. Not very often you hear a kit sound that detracts from the music.

doesn't Russ Miller also have a book(video)on "The Art of Tuning"?

Like Me2 said, tuning is left for personal preference and taste. What u have to realize Randy is everyone has their "pet sounds". Most metal drummers would favor that "dead/hydraulic" type of sound most metal drummers(Danny Carey/Portnoy)go for, alot of old school LOVE that cardboard sound(Eagles/Billy Joel for example), sum may like their snare to be very crip and have a killer attack(Copeland), sum may like Carter Beauford's snare(listen to "Razpunzel" for example)

I learned to tune drums from watching other drummers and just experimenting with head combinations and tuning methods(rather than just muffling the crap out of my drums [img]cool.gif[/img] )

I hear what u r sayin, me, but this time, i can't go w that much of that liberal esoteric type thinking -
My 1st acoustic kit was a Fibes w hydraulic heads & no bottom heads on the toms...my 2nd & present kit is a Gretsch w bottom heads & it sounds INFINITELY better than my 1st kit...
In other words, muted, "cardboard" drums sound like sh** compared to well-tuned, wide-open drums...
I guess one could go for different fx or sounds like is done in some tunes nowadays, but...
I realize that this is what some like to refer to as "my opinion," but it [& Randy's} happens to be the right one here [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [certain opins CAN be right & wrong, can they not?! i know, i know, there's arguments for either side on that one] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
...but i guess that is just MY opin, right? [I'll prob be hearing YOURS soon, but it is also just an opinion, right? ;o) ]
[img]tongue.gif[/img]

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Originally posted by FuseU1:
I hear what u r sayin, me, but this time, i can't go w that much of that liberal esoteric type thinking -

well..there ya go! a bit of that Liberal thinking fuse might do you the world of good. :-)

My 1st acoustic kit was a Fibes w hydraulic heads & no bottom heads on the toms...my 2nd & present kit is a Gretsch w bottom heads & it sounds INFINITELY better than my 1st kit...
In other words, muted, "cardboard" drums sound like sh** compared to well-tuned, wide-open drums...

hmmm...Now be fair, i did not state that i dislike OPEN drums. Actually i made no comment to open/boxy or whatever sound people made.

Me.2! ( no me) I had a Fibes fiberglass kit.

At the time fuse i bet you loved your fibes single headed drums, I playing'em was more a priority than the sound eminating from'em.

Now, that single headed sound was once an IN thing like double headed are now the IN thing again.

Seeing sound is subjective, sounds appear to come'n'go and then revive again, Even Solid snares went out for plied shells, while now most it seems want a craviotto solid. fads/trends?

Looking back how many times did peart win the best recorded sound in modern drummer with single headed drums? A sound that thousands wanted to have themselves as i remember.
Even Neil went from double to single to double again! Times change as do sounds, here today gone tomorrow.

Now its YOUR opinion fuse that single headed drums sound sh%t but reggae i believe has been built on that sound(im probably wrong -my bad), its a part of it, Just as jazz generally has that constant ringing ride cymbal pattern and Bozzio is defining his music with HIS sounds. Whats Good and bad....NONE of it. Its all music.

I guess one could go for different fx or sounds like is done in some tunes nowadays, but...
I realize that this is what some like to refer to as "my opinion," but it [& Randy's} happens to be the right one here [certain opins CAN be right & wrong, can they not?! i know, i know, there's arguments for either side on that one] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
...but i guess that is just MY opin, right? [I'll prob be hearing YOURS soon, but it is also just an opinion, right? ]

An opinion is an opinion fuse, that doesnt make it a FACT, opinions are subjective i think?

Who defines what is 'right and wrong', as in, how a drum SHOULD be tuned/or sound.....where is the LAW on this?

To be truthful fuse i'm not sure what your post is about, though, as you mention Randy i can only assume that you are referring to his post....'Most guys n girls who call themselves drummers dont bother to work on the big task at hand and that is understanding how a drum SHOULD sound'.

If it is...I'll bite, and you want my opinion right? How could i not oblige when steve freely and kindly/generously gives US this site TO give our thoughts/opinions. So, Respect to steve.

I agree with randys thoughts, though i also disagee. Im on the fence i guess.

I think a drummer should have an understanding of tuning, though i dont consider it a neccesity and its certainly NOT, as there are countless people working OUT THERE without what others might term as..... UNTUNED drums.
What to some sounds crap, is good to others, as is different music. To say someones drums sound bad is subjective.

Basically, a drummers sound can define him as much as his phrasing can, whether he's tuned to OTHERS pitch desires or not.
I dont mind open or closed/muted sounds i'm not preferential towards one or the other,Its a sound.


Is a drummer who cant tune (to others desired standards) a lesser drummer?
No, just as buddy and dennis dont/didnt read music its something they dont have as a DRUMMER/musician. Its an ASPECT of them as a musician that they chose not to follow, and nothing wrong in that, unless theres a RIGHT way that people should do things?
i.e considering miles davis played blues notes shouldn't have someone corrected him about that or did it define HIS sound, being out of tune.

What about miles muting his trumpet like dulling a drum head to a single tom sound, whats better? neither, its just a sound.

I like miles wide open and closed/muted in tune or out of tune, its a Part of him and HIS sound.
Now, whats the right/correct one?

You see, though people mention tuning, to me its weird point.
Take a saxophone, it doesnt play in tune and the musician tries to make it/correct the instruments design flaws by placing the mouth piece on the correct point [for him] on the crook. Its still out of tune though.
Same with a guitar, once tuned up its still out of tune. People should learn to tune up to people that are already out of tune? lol

Heres a great one.
When was the last time you saw a Piano player tune his Piano? They dont, Piano Tuners do.

So, Why are they exempt from tuning their instrument, are they lesser musicians for not tuning the piano? In or out of tune they just play the gig.
Do most people notice the instruments pitch flaws or are they not bothered and just enjoy the music? See, sound is so subjective and wide open(no pun) saying its this or that seems pointless, sound.... JUST IS.

There ya go fuse some of my opinion, btw I NEVER say i'm right as, its ONLY my opinion.
If its a FACT , i'll state that.
{no offense meant by my post)

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

It's not just drummers whom slap on a pinstripe andgo for that dead sound instead of using the drum as a resonance chamber, engineers in the studio are to blame too.
I spent the weekend at the Conservatory for Recording Arts and Sciences, a school where they teach guys and gals the art of patching in and out and working the console, what did they do to my floor tom? Over the talk mic I hear "uh, your floor tom is ringing can we tape it up", I'm like, it's supposed to do that. Same with the 10" tom, amazing.
As to concert toms, Phil Collins ha smade a career with that open gated sound and I love it.
When Bozzio was with Zappa and Missing Persons his drum sound was IMO sh**, but now that he is doing the 1 man drummer orchestra, he has learned the art of tuning and letting the drums sing. he has come full circle.
Chad Smith live his drums choke, but of course in the studio THe Drum Nurse handles his drums, mostly Grestch, don't let those Pearl ads fool you and they sound awesome. Same thing with Lars.

Even when Steve played his
Hydraulics, as dead as it
was, you could STILL tell
him a mile away.

Aja's a perfect example of
"dead, with a signature."

What about Vinnie on Gino's
"Nightwalker"? You can tell
it was him too, easily,
despite the dead-heads.

I personally DON'T think
it's all about the sound
of the drum. That's like
the color of a dress.

It's what you do with it
that matters.

Play anything but play it
well. That's my take.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 14, 2003 01:31 PM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>

I thought Lars played tama(brass/diamond plated snare), but yeah I agree the "sounds" on the Black Album are perfect for rock/alternative [img]smile.gif[/img]

Randy: On the new Alejandro Sanz CD, i'm guessing the title track is Vinnie, sounds like Gretsch to me and the hi-hat accents are typical "Vinniesms" [img]eek.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 14, 2003 02:30 PM: Message edited by: Bozzio ]</font>

Lars does indeed ENDORSE Tama, but on recent cds including the Black disc, he used Gretsch. There is a Making of the Black Album DVD too.

I haven't seen that, on the latest DVD(St.Anger)he's playing Tama(sparke green kit-the one in the ad's).

http://www.drummerworld.com/drum4/larsulrich.jpg

Lars Equipment History

Intersting, they don't mention Gretsch aside from the Bass/Floor Toms. As much as Lars playing sucks nowadays, I can't help but admitt the guy has good taste in cymbals and acoustics.

But yeah I hear what you're saying, those "in the studio" documentals are great, the other day I watched one with Charlie Adams(who apparently endorses Sabian and was using Paiste)during a Soraya recording session for her last album. [img]redface.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 14, 2003 02:43 PM: Message edited by: Bozzio ]</font>

Me -
I KNEW you'd step up to da plate, ol buddy! ;o)
Actually [as i'm sure u realized], i was just goading ya, pickin', knowing you'd give me a very decent answer [img]wink.gif[/img] [& one that's EVEN LONGER THAN MY LONG ONES, amazingly enough!]

- & now i suppose you're gonna tell me that a "homemade apple pie or turkey & swiss on rye tastes about the same as poop cobbler or a turd sandwich" [img]wink.gif[/img] because some poor hobo on 42nd will eat it just as well as the other, or some monkey in the jungle will eat either... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

OK! Just jestin w ya [as u r 1 a' da best-jesters in here! Do u stay at "Best Jestern" hotels AW?]
...Peart actually had 4 'open'/concert toms [6,8,10,12"] & 4 closed [12,13,15,& 18" FT] for the LONGEST time [until he went w Ludwig & changed the concerts to closed...aside from the gong bass drums & whatnot], so he had the best of both worlds [except maybe in the WAY beginning when he had, maybe, all open?!]...IMHO ;o) , the small toms sound even better closed, altho {& also IMHO] the larger toms always sound better closed to me.
U may be right about the reggae thing...
& i also realize that these types of sounds AWA many others are now the "retro, in-thing" for producers/engineers on todays cuts, something "different" to add to the mix/change[?!] things up a bit [altho there is [really] "nothing new under the sun"]...
Alllllright...

"At the time fuse i bet you loved your fibes single headed drums, & playing'em was more a priority than the sound eminating from 'em"...
U r absolutely corrrect, sah! [in my best Ed McMahon voice]

& pete c: "I personally DON'T think
it's all about the sound
of the drum. That's like
the color of a dress.
It's what you do with it
that matters."
U r also correct, sir!

I'm still gonna havta go w Randy on this one tho, guys [& just tryin ta add a li'l color to da board, fellas!! [or perhaps "garrrlic," if you will] ;o) =p

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 15, 2003 11:56 AM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

I have to tell ya, Randy........seeing the names Gretsch and Lars in the same sentence gets me nauseated. [img]wink.gif[/img]

One has Pure Substance AND a Name......

The other has NO substance and a name.

Sorry......no relevance to the thread, but I couldn't help myself. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I hear ya, simple fact is Lars used Gretsch on the Black album and all Metallica cds after.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FuseU1:
[QB]Me -

I KNEW you'd step up to da plate, ol buddy!
Actually [as i'm sure u realized], i was just goading ya, pickin', knowing you'd give me a very decent answer
[& one that's EVEN LONGER THAN MY LONG ONES, amazingly enough!]

awe...i dont know about longer than yours Mr how longs a piece of String Me.2 along. Uh huh, i had a sneaky suspicious mind i was... caught in a trap.... but cant hold out elvis .


- & now i suppose you're gonna tell me that a "homemade apple pie or turkey & swiss on rye tastes about the same as poop cobbler or a turd sandwich" because some poor hobo on 42nd will eat it just as well as the other, or some monkey in the jungle will eat either...

Sir I am that Hobo! [img]redface.gif[/img]

Now come on....we all know cheeky little monkies eat narna's dont we... FUSE?! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Ok..Infact fuse,.... IT WOULD taste the same if you ate it AFTER you'd already digested it. Do you want to test the theory out?

I'll getcha a Doggie bag or two. [img]wink.gif[/img]

OK! Just jestin w ya [as u r 1 a' da best-jesters in here! Do u stay at "Best Jestern" hotels AW?]

Jest sir I do indeed-e. Jest luv'em....Jest service in clown-err town! urr...Jest kiddin!


I'm still gonna havta go w Randy on this one tho, guys [& just tryin ta add a li'l color to da board, fellas!!

You can go your own way....go your own way mac....but your're out of tune on this one, am i right or am i Resonatingly right! lol :-)

LOL
[img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img]

..."& for more of the best verbal-volleyball on the net, stay tuned to Hostboard for..."

...hey, where are some of you other comodians on this board? We know you're "OUT there!" [Like Vinnie, perhaps?]
[img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 15, 2003 11:57 AM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

Good and funny posts guys.

Lets not forget that about 60-75% of one's sound comes from how you play or "strike" the instrument, especially in acoustic situations. I guess that kind of goes with Peter's take. We've all been in that situation at a gig where there's a provided kit and each drummer makes it sound totally different, no change of heads, tuning or even positioning. Don't even get me started on ride cymbals. [img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img]

Regarding Randy's point about engineers, I've had some BAD experiences w/ both live and recording ones. I always seem to get stuck w/ engineers who think that they know what sound will suit the music best. They never had a decent reason to change the sound, usually it was due to laziness on their part. I used to be the "team player" and roll with it but now I won't. I can't even listen to some of the stuff because it sounds like ass. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not talking about all engineers just the ones I've had bad luck with. I've also had some very professional and "in-tune" engineers. Anyway, that ends today's sermon. [img]tongue.gif[/img]